HIV Testing Hits Record High Among Gay Men in UK
In 2022, HIV testing among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) soared to an all-time high across the UK. This boost helped push new HIV diagnoses within this group steadily down. But while progress is clear, serious gaps remain—especially for ethnic minorities and women, who lag behind in testing and prevention.
Mixed HIV Trends Reveal Persistent Inequalities
Data from the UK Health Security Agency for England shows a complex picture. GBMSM saw a sharp drop in HIV diagnoses thanks to wider testing and increased use of prevention tools like PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). However, the numbers tell a different story for heterosexual adults and ethnic minority groups, where new HIV cases actually rose.
- Record-high HIV testing uptake among GBMSM in sexual health clinics
- Smaller testing increases among other groups
- Rising PrEP usage overall, but uneven access across sexual orientations
- Half of new HIV diagnoses in 2022 were in people aged 50 or over
The rise in cases among older adults highlights how effective HIV treatment has become in helping people live longer, healthier lives.
Experts Warn: Urgent Action Needed for Minorities and Women
“Progress isn’t equal,” said Dr Alison Brown, Interim Head of HIV Surveillance. “Testing and treatment work—but only if people can access them.”
HIV diagnoses in England jumped 22% in 2022 compared to 2021, totalling 3,805 cases. This increase is partly blamed on fewer tests during the Covid pandemic, leading to more late diagnoses—especially among heterosexual women.
“We’re making strides, but the fight isn’t over,” said Professor Kevin Fenton, Chief Advisor on HIV. “We must focus on tailored efforts for vulnerable groups to reach our goal of ending new HIV transmissions by 2030.”
Next Steps: Scale Up Testing, PrEP, and Fight Stigma
The battle continues with plans to ramp up testing, expand access to PrEP, improve care quality, and tackle HIV stigma head-on. The UK’s HIV Action Plan sets an ambitious target: an 80% reduction in HIV transmission in England by 2025. An update due this December will reveal how close we are to hitting that mark.
